Adjustable extension spotlamp



dan. 1,1924

E. G. K. A'NDER'SCN FDJUST-ABLE EXTENSIN SPOTLAMP Filed Dec. 25', 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l llll llllllhv Jan. 1, 1924 1,419,578

E. G. K. ANDERSON AbJusTABLE EXTENSION sPoTLAMP Filed Dec. 25 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [wwe mfp?" 7575 @lili/7' @7607?.

Patented Jan. l, 1924.

UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE.

ERNST G. K. ANDERSONQOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO APPLETON ELECTRIC CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ADJUSTABLE EXTENSION SPOTLAMP.

Application led December 23, 1920. Serial No. 432,662.

To all whom t may concern: g

Be it known that I, ERNST G. K. ANDER- SON, a citizen of' the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Extension Spotlamps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in extensible spot lamps of that kind in which the current is conducted to the lamp from a source of current supply by the medium of a conductor cord which, when the lamp is in its normal position on the wind shield or other part of the car, is contained inJ a suitable receptacle, such-as in a reel casing, and which permits the lamp, when detached from its support, to be moved about the car within the length of the conductor cord.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved lamp of this character wherein su'ch an extension conductor cord is employed, and is adapted for connection to the lamp bulb either through a direct path, as When the lamp functions have a stationarily mounted universal spot lamp, or through the indirect path of the length of the extension cord, when the lamp is detached and is moved away from its support on the car or other place where the lamp is used.

The purpose of so employing two connections on the lamp is to permit a direct connection o'f the current supply to the lamp when the lamp functions as a swingable spot lamp, so as to utilize' the full permissible voltage of the current supply, and to permit an indirect connection to the lamp through the cord when the lamp functions as a socalled trouble lamp, as when it is moved away from its normal support.

In spot lamps of this character the function of the lamp as a trouble lamp is important inasmuch as it permits a light of suitable candle power to be moved about the car for the purposes of inspection during the night time. If the source of current supply be connected to the lamp constantly throu h the extension conductor cord that permits the lamp to be moved away from its normal support, the resistance due to the cord length will reduce the candle power of the lamp.

In the present improved spot lamp `it is roposed to provide means whereby the conductor which leads from the current supply source may be connected so as to convey the current directly to the lamp, not through the extension cord of the lamp, so that when the lamp is supported at its usual station on the car, that connection of the lamp bulb to the current source supplied will be through the shortest resistance so that the candle power of the lamp will be greater than when connected through the extension conductor cord.

Another object of the invention is to limit the swinging movement of the lamp casing at a time when the casing is directed forwardly so as to thereby make it impossible for the rays of the lamp to be thrown directly into the eyes of an oli-coming driver, such limit-,Y

ing means being so arranged, with respect to the movable parts of the lamp structure, that when such movable parts are swung to one side or the other of the direct forward throw of the lamp, the said lamp is not limited in its movements but may partake of the usual 'universal movements of a lamp of this character.

Other objects of the invention are to improve and simplify spot and other lamps for the general purposes set forth, and the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of the parts shown in the drawings and described in the specilication, and is ointed out in the appended claims.

n the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial side view of a car showing my improved spot lampin position thereon, showing also in dotted lines the manner in which the lamp is used as an extension or trouble lamp.`

` Figure 2 is a rear view thereof.

Figure 3 is a side View of the lamp shown in full and dotted lines in different positions.

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial side and partial sectional view ofthe lamp.

Figure 5 .is a horizontal section on line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the lamp partially broken away.

Figure 7 is a detail of the lamp movement limiting means before referred to.

The type of lamp shown is one that is normally supported on the wind shield frame post 10 of a car. The lamp shown embraces a usual casing 11, preferably having parabolic interior reflector, and a front 12 that can be detachably fixed to the casing in any. suitable manner. 13 designates a lampbulb of the usual character employed in these lamps, the base of which has a bayonet joint connection with a socket 14 that llits. within aV tube 15 which is lixedly connected in any suitable manner, as by means of the flanged portion 16, to therear conveX side of the lamp casing. The said tube 15 is open at its front end for the reception of the socket 14 and is open at its rear end for the reception of a connector plug, consisting of a socket member 17 and a plug member 18; the latter having bayonet joint connection with the former as indicated at 19. The conductor cord 20, which connects the lamp to the source of current supply, is fixed to the plug member 18. rlhe said tube 15 is provided also at its bottom and between its ends with an outlet opening 21, and on the sides of said opening with an elongated depending tubular extension 22.

23 designates a casing to receive an extension conductor cord 24, said cord being normally wound on a reel designated as a whole by 25, when the lamp vis mounted in position to function as an ordinary spot lamp. Said casing is a two part casing and may be made generally like the structure shown in prior U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,309,678, granted on the 15th day of July, 1919. The connection of the extension conductor cord 24 to terminals mounted on the reel may also be generally similar to the construction shown in aforsaid patent. These parts, in themselves, constitute no be further described.I

The casing 23 is provided at its lower end With an outlet or socket connector' 26 lwhich is adapted to receive the plug 18, when the latter is detached from the socket 17 as will more fully hereinafter appear. The connector is electrically connected to the reel structure in the manner shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. Said plug 18 is adapted for connection to the outlet 26 at the bottom of the casing through a bayonet joint or otherwise.

The contacts of the socket member 17 are connected directly and permanently to contacts in the socket member 14 through the medium of conductors 27, 28, as indicated in Figure 4. When the plug 18 is connected with the socket member 17, the path of current from the source of supply is directl through the plug 17 and the conductors 2 and 28 to the lamp bulb 13. At this time the resistance Within the lamp circuit is small and the current source is used to the best advantage to secure a desired candle power lamp llght;

The said conductors27, 28 are also conup nectedwith the branches of the extension conductor '24, so that when the lamp structure is to be disconnected from its normal mounting, as will hereinafter appear, the plug 18 is disconnected from the socket 17 and is connected to the socket 26, so that the path of the current to the lamp is through the members of the conductor cord 24, and thence through the' conductors 27, 28 to the lamp bulb. At this time the candle power of the lamp bulb 13 will be reduced to a point determined by the resistance of the lamp cord 24 and the connections of the lamp cord to the socket 26.

The lamp casing and its tube 15, which constitutes the dirigible or universally adjustable portions of the lamp are supper-ted on a fixed portion of the structure that is connected directlyto a bracket 30 of known form that can be clamped to the usual post of a wind shield frame. As herein shown, said bracket 3() is connected directly to a ring member 31 that constitutes the upper end of the upper member of the reel casing 23, being fitted over an axially disposed in any suitable rigid manner. Thus it will `be seen that the casing 23 is carried from the bracket 30 and rigidly secured thereto through the ring member 31.' member has an externally, threaded terminal member 33, which is formed with an internal tapered seat 34. The said externally threaded terminal member 33 is threaded toan external knurled locking nut 35, which nut has a downwardly facing shoulder 36.

37 designates a fitting that has a tapered or cone like lower end 38 for direct engagement with the tapered portion 34 of. the upstanding terminal 33. Said fitting is provided with an upwardly facing shoulder 40 against which bears the downwardly facing annular shoulder on the locking nut or ring 35 to force the tapered lower end of the fitting against the taper of the terminal 33 with sufficient tightness to hold it normally in place, but permitting the fitting tofturn axially Within said terminal. The said fitting 37 is an elongated hollow formation, as best shown in Figure 4 to readily fit the elongated tubular extension 22, Figure 5 and said parts are pivoted together by a pivot bolt 42, so that r,the tube 15 and the lamp casing carried thereby may swmg about said pivot in a vertical plane. end of the fitting 37 is open to permit the members of the extension conductor to pass into the tube 15 for connection with the conductors 27 28, as shown in Figure 4.

With the construction thus far described, it will be noted that the lamp casing is capable of practically universal adjustment, with respect to the reel casing 23, about the ivot 42 and the tapered portions of the fitting and terminal described. When the spot lamp is in use aQts station on the Wind Said ring' The upper l llO shield, the plug 18 of the conductor 20 is `rays of the lamp may be projected in substantially `universal directions. When the lamp is to be converted from an ordinary -spot'lamp to a trouble lamp, the plug 18 is disconnected from the socket 17 and is connected to the socket 26.y Thereafter, the knurled nut "{is released, so that the normally swinging parts may be detached from the normal-ly fixed parts .and the lamp carried from the casing while unreeling the conductor cord for use as a trouble lamp.

The feature of the construction which limits the upward and side throw of the lamp, when operating as a usual spot lamp, embraces a stop comprising two members 45, 46, as herein shown, and a lug 47 which extends rearwardly from the dependent elongated extension 22 before referred to. The member `of the limiting device is riveted or otherwise secured to the member 31 of the reel casing, and the two members 45, 46 may be vertically adjusted and fixed in adjusted positions by means of a screw 48 that extends through a slot 49 in-one of the'members and is threaded to the other member; The proximate or engaging faces of said limiting members, 45, 46 are roughened so that when the screw 48 is tightened, said members 45, 46 constitute a rigid member. The member 46 is provided with a rounded upper end, as shown at 50, that is so disposed relatively to the central position of the lamp that the lamp cannot be made to occupy the mid position of its throwy without tilting the casing downwardly. When thus limited, the lamp cannot be tilted upwardly. Therefore, the rays cannot be projected into the eyes of an oncoming driver when tilted downwardly, but can be employed to properly illuminate the roadway and also areas at the sides of the roadway. Y

In Figure 6 the lug 49 is shown as in a position laterally from the limiting device, and, assuming that the lamp casing is directed downwardly, the lamp may be swung sidewise through the limit of its range yof this angular movement, as well also as swung vertically. When, however, the lamp approaches a forwardly projecting position, the limiting device described prevents or limits a straight forward projection of the light, as whenl the parts are in the horizontal j position shown in Figures 1 and 4. Figure 3, for instance, illustrates in dotted lines the position of the lamp casing when it may be freely swung from side to side, in which position the lamp rays `will be projected on the road and vcannot be raised in position to throw the projecting light into the eyes of an oncoming driver. i

The lamp bulb 13` can be focused relatively to the parabolic reflector and held in proper focal adjustment through the means of a set screw 52 that is inserted through a slot 51 of the socket 14 and into a threaded opening in the socket. When the screw is released the socket -and lamp may be moved forwardly and rearwardly, as permittedby the slot 51, to effect the focal adjustment desired, and can be locked by the set screw.-

In order to provide a weather-proof joint at the slot where the set screw projects through they tube 15, a concave plate 53, larger than the slot 51, is placed over said slot and is pierced with an opening to receive the set screw as clearly shown in Figure 4. It is clamped in place when the screw is tightened.

It will be understood that the structural details illustrated may be considerably varied between the spirit and scope of the claims-hereto appended, and that the invention is not limited thereto, except as to claims wherein suchstructure is specifically recited, and as imposed by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electric extension lamp device comprising a lamp structure to receive lamp bulb contacts and two circuits separately including said contacts and provided with sockets separately to receive a connection of an external circuit, one of said circuits including an extension conductor cord. n

2. An electric extension lamp device comprising a lamp structure to receivelamp bulb contacts, a conductor cord rewinding reel, two circuits` including said contacts, one through a conductor cord wound on said reel and the other of relative less resistance,

and sockets electrically connected to said circuits to separately receiveV a connector of an external field circuit.

3. An electric extension lamp device comprising a lamp structure to receive lamb bulb contacts and two circuits separately including said contacts,`one of which includes an extension conductor cord, a take-up device for said conductor cord, and means to separately connect said lamp bulb contact circuits to an external feed circuit.

l4. An electric extension lamp device comprising a lamp structure to receive lamp bulb contacts, an extension conductor cord in circuit with said contacts, a take-up device for said cord, a circuit of less resistance than the conductor cord circuit in which said bulb contacts are yalso included, and sockets severally connected in the latter circuit and to the conductor cord circuit and adapted for separate connection to an external circuit connector.

5. An electric extension lamp device comprising a lamp structure to receivelamp bulb contacts, an extension conductor cord in circuit with said contacts, a rewinding reel for said cord having parts in the conductor cord circuit and which terminate in a socket for an external circuit connector, and a second circuit of less resistance than. the conductor cord circuit separately including said bulb contacts and including also a socket to separately receive the said external circuit connector.

6. An electric extension lamp device comprising a lamp structure, supporting meansy nected to the lamp and provided at its ends With electrically connected sockets, one to receive a lamp bulb and the other end to receive a connector of an external circuit, a conductor cord also in circuit With said lamp sockets, and a third socket adapted for con nection with the end of the conductor cord 'remote from its connection to said lamp socket for the reception of said connector.

8. An electrical extension lamp device comprising a lamp structure, a supporting member therefor provided at its ends With electrically connected sockets, one adapted to receive a lamp bulb and the other adapted to receive a connector, of an external source of current supply, an extension conductor cord, also connected at one end to the lamp bulb socket, a revvinding reel to receive said extension conductor cord, and a thirdsocket electrically connected to said extension conductor and adapted to receive said connector; l

9. An extension electric lamp device comprising a lamp structure, embracing a tubular support provided at its ends With sockets, one to receive a lamp bulb, and the other to receive a connector, of an external current supply, an extension conductor cord connected at one end to the lamp bulb socket,

a reWinding reel therefor, and a third socket i electrically connected to the reel end ot' the extension conductor cord and adapted to receive said external circuit connector.

10. An electric extension spot lamp device comprising a lamp structure, a take-up reel for a lamp conductor cord, and a mounting for said lamp structure having means of attachment to a vehicle, said mounting embracing means to permit universal angular adjustment of the lamp structure relatively to its means of attachment, said mounting being provided With two sockets separately adapted for electrical connection With ,the connector of an external current supply, one of said sockets being connected to the lamp socket through a circuit of lo\vresistance, and the other socket being adapted for electric connection to said lamp socket through said conductor cord.

ll. An electric extension spot lamp device comprising a casing, an axially disposed tubular support therefor, a bracket having means of attachment to a vehicle on Which said tubular support is mounted by means permitting vertical and horizontal adjustment of the support and casing, electrically connected sockets in the opposite ends of said support, one adapted for connection to a lamp bulb in the casing and the other for connection to a connector of an external circuit, an extension conductorcord also connected to`sa-id lamp bulb, a take-up 'device for said cord, a casing enclosing said takeup device, and a third socket carried by the casing and adapted for electrical connection to the take-up device end of the cord.

In Witness whereof I claim the Jforegoing as my invention, I hereunto append my signature this 11th day of December, 1920.

ERNST G. K. ANDERSON. 

